Regardless which came first, for some time last week, Nigerians on Twitter had fun imagining what it would be like if canonical superheroes from the DC and Marvel universes were transplanted to Nigeria. Netizens quoted the problems superheroes such as Batman or The Incredible Hulk would face if they were Nigerian. The results were at times hilarious but also pointed out poignant issues in Nigerian society.

1. Wolverine would be relegated to kitchen duty by his mom.

Wolverines Nigerian mum: Wolf the knife in Kitchen is blunt come and use ur hand and cut meat this meat is not going to cut itself.

What this first shows is that a lot of Nigerians know their superheroes. It also illustrates issues Nigerians have to deal with sometimes daily. The punishing fuel scarcitythat is still ongoing, for example, not to mention the pressures on Nigerian women to marry early and dress “modestly.” Perhaps this tweet rounds it up best:

Looking at the superheroes can't survive in Nigeria thread makes me believe that us here in Nigeria surviving are Superheroes.

Would superheroes find it so hard to survive in Nigeria? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below or reaching me on Twitter @rafeeeeta

About Rafeeat Aliyu

Rafeeat Aliyu is a writer, media consultant, amateur photographer and filmmaker based in Abuja. She reports on culture, events, literature and music and entertainment for MUIPR. A graduate of Durham University UK, Rafeeat enjoys travelling, music, horror movies and West African cuisine. Rafeeat is a published author of speculative fiction, you can read her stories on Omenana.com and in the AfroSF anthology of African science fiction. Follow her on twitter @rafeeeeta